Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Will be Much Larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden

Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure! The upcoming Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises a significantly larger and more ambitious experience than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Details revealed at RGG SUMMIT 2024 paint a picture of a truly expansive game.

Majima's Hawaiian Hijinks: A Grander Scale

RGG Studio's president, Masayoshi Yokoyama, confirmed that Pirate Yakuza's story and world will be approximately 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden. This isn't a simple expansion; it's a game redesigned for a much grander scale. Yokoyama hinted at the sheer size, stating (via Famitsu and machine translation) that even the city area itself is expansive, encompassing locations seen in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and new areas like Madlantis.

The game's scope extends beyond sheer size. Expect a robust offering of combat, side activities, and mini-games, exceeding expectations for a typical "Gaiden" title. Yokoyama suggested the traditional understanding of "Gaiden" as a spin-off is evolving, implying Pirate Yakuza will be a fully realized experience comparable to mainline entries.

A Pirate's Life for Majima

Set in and around the Hawaiian Islands, the game features a significant departure from previous titles. The ever-popular Goro Majima, voiced again by Hidenari Ugaki, takes center stage in this unexpected pirate adventure. While the specifics of Majima's transformation remain shrouded in mystery, Ugaki expressed excitement while remaining tight-lipped about the details.

Further intrigue comes from voice actor First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie), who teased a live-action scene featuring Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita). Akiyama himself added cryptic hints, mentioning an aquarium with a clownfish and the presence of "many beautiful women" during filming, playfully suggesting a scene that might be mistaken for a reality show.

These "beautiful women" are likely the "Minato Ward girls," who will appear in both live-action and CG form. Ryosuke Horii, involved in the casting process, noted the enthusiasm and dedication of the auditionees, many of whom were passionate fans of the series.

Get ready to set sail with Majima in 2025 for an unforgettable adventure!